Wedding Customs and Their Origins: Why Do Grooms Carry Their Brides Through the Front Door?

Wedding Customs and Their Origins: Why Do Grooms Carry Their Brides Through the Front Door?

Carrying your bride over the threshold of your new home isn’t as romantic as you think! The Wedding Guru enlightens on the origins of this ritual

By Judy Lewis

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The Wedding Guru says: I found two origins for this somewhat archaic tradition. The first is that it originated Medieval Europe where many believed that a bride was especially vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. So, to protect her from bringing those evil spirits into the couple’s new home, the groom would carry his bride through the front door.

Another piece of lore tells us that, at the time of Northern European barbarians (a name given to them by the Romans), a groom placed his captured bride to his left to protect her as he kept his right hand free to use for defense. Also originating from this practice of abduction — which literally swept a bride off her feet — sprang the later symbolic act of carrying the bride across the threshold of her new home.

Speaking of carrying the bride over the threshold: tradition dictates that the bride must never trip and fall as she enters her new home or she will have bad luck for all the years to come. Watch your step!

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About This Blog

Tying the knot shouldn't put knots in your stomach, so whether you're the blushing bride, hubby-to-be, or even a wedding guest, The Wedding Guru Judy Lewis can answer all of your wedding-related questions.

This blog hails from HudsonValleyWeddings.com, the one-stop resource for services and products, promotions and specials, a Regional Bridal Show schedule, Wed Shop, and links to money-saving and wedding-related Web sites.